Skippyjon Jones, Lost in Spice Hardcover – Picture Book, September 22, 2009

I absolutely love any skippyjon book. Me and my son read these and they ALWAYS make us laugh and there is always a positive message to learn from the books ! I read the first skippyjon book and we were hooked. I bought ALL the skippyjon books and wish there were more!!

Holy hot tamales, is this book fun! In the latest installment of Skippyjon Jones, our fearless kitty boy decides he is going to travel to Mars, because it is the "red" planet, and red is his favorite color. Like all adventures before this one, he heads to his room, into his closet (with Mama June Bug's bottle of red spice), and he's off in his imagination to the planet Mars. His old friends are waiting there for him, but a new surprise is too. Meet Martian-ito Skippito--Skippy's martian counterpart. Just like his Earthly counterpart, Martian-ito Skippito also has ears too big for his head, his head is too big for his body, and he has the same affinity for using the word "dude". It's Skippyjon's twin and Skippyjon couldn't be happier! The only differences between the two is that Martian-ito Skippito is red, and has only one eye. He is appropriately named "Uno Ojo". Our favorite Kitty Boy thinks he has found his karmic match until a battle for Skippy's favorite sock monkey ensues with Uno Ojo. Skippyjon ends up catapulting himself back to Earth where Mama June Bug is waiting to serve him his dinner, a delectable dish his sister Jilly Boo calls Tuna Poodle casserole.I love all of Judy Schachner's books in the Skippyjon series, and this one may be her best yet. She still writes phonetically to get the reader to use the voice inflection intended for the Spanish accent. It it seems she may have toned down that part of her signature trademark just a bit this time around, but not in a bad way. She has also added more "authentic" Spanish words to the story, so your child has a chance to learn some new words as the story progresses. Additionally, the book comes with a CD attached to the back cover that makes it fun to use for read-alongs in the car. Children who are Skippyjon Jones fans, as well as kids who love outer space adventures, or just love silly humor will enjoy this book. As usual, it was laugh out loud funny for my kids from start to finish and we can not wait for the next Skippyjon adventure to begin.

All the Skippyjon Jones books are wonderful. I have all of them that I have found, and my entire family loves all his adventures from my youngest grandson to his grandmother. The plots are clever, the writing is engaging and the illustrations are delightful.

This is an exceptionally good book in a WONDERFUL series. I own the whole series because my family and I enjoy these books so much even though they’re made for children. We would all highly recommend them. Something to be aware of is there is Spanish phrases throughout this book, and the other books in the series. I have started a collection of children’s books to have if I would have my own kids someday, books I like, or books I remember reading as a kid.

This is a fun series and my eldest son loves reading this book in particular. My youngest son loves to have these books read to him.Don't listen to the wokesters, this is a great book and a great series for kids. I was introduced to this series by a Hispanic woman who read these books to her children when they were younger.

Book is in great condition

I asked my granddaughter what her favorite part of school was and she mentioned one of the books to the series that she was able to read so I surprised her with this one the minute she got it she sat down and had to read it to the whole family I will be ordering more

If you are new to Skippyjon Jones, this would not necessarily be the book I would start with. However, here is what you need to know: Skippy lives with his mother (Mama Junebug Jones) and his 3 sisters. El Skippito Friskito has ears that are too big for his head and a head that is too big for his body, which has led him to conclude he is not a Siamese cat but a chihuahua bound for adventures with his chihuahua pack - Los Chimichangos.In this adventure, Skippito borrows Mama's red spice (has she finally lost it? Why possibly would she let him take it? She warns him not to sprinkle it...but it's SKIPPY). Off to douse his bed in red, Skippy decides to visit the red planet (Mars) and who should he meet but Los Chimichangos setting up a chili powder pipeline (that's why Mars is red). Becoming separated from his amigos, Skippy collides with his one-eyed green twin - the martian version of the kitty boy. They fight over a sock monkey and Skippito returns home in time for Mama to discover what he has done with her spice.Many elements of the story remain the same - rampant use of fun language peppered with Spanglish. However, unlike past installments, Schachner does not spend as much time repeating the Spanish into English ensuring we comprehend. The catchy little tunes (clap! clap!) are present as well. However, I felt like this book had less of an actually climax and story line. There was no bandito or bobblehead to beat - no peas to recover - rather he came, he saw, he went. All in all, while catchy and upbeat, it was not my favorite Skippy installment. However, what really matters is the kids - and they loved it - although it does not beat Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble for them either which had very clever rhymes and puns. Even the lines "Do you like rice and beans" "Yes, I like mice and beans" "I think he might be the dog of our dreams" Skippyjon Jones beat this book in terms of memorability and humor. However, the story line is still funny and original, and I REALLY like the emphasis on using ones imagination (although the rampant peppering of his room with chili powder is not something I would like my kids to emulate).One little note, the hardback version comes with a CD. I don't know if this is a fluke or not, but our CD does not come up properly with the book title and author - rather another title/author which is not too kid appropriate name wise. However, it is still the correct story read by the author. I will be attempting a different computer before contacting the publisher. If you listen using a CD player, this likely wouldn't even be noticeable. It is a great addition, as Schachner is an excellent story teller.Bottom line: Not my favorite in the series, but still highly recommended.

The stuffed toy really adds a lot to the telling of the story we would buy it again and again

i got this for a young child that did like them its about a little cat that has some fun when it shouldn't